PETALING JAYA: The Terengganu government is ready to review its state Syariah law following the decision by the Federal Court involving 16 offences under the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Enactment 2019, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
"The move (is) to ensure that the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Enactment... does not contradict federal law," he was quoted as saying on Monday (Feb 12) by Sinar Harian.
He added that the in-depth review would cover all aspects of the Federal Court's decision.
He said, however, that the state government would take the necessary action against anyone who challenged its Syariah enactments.
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On Friday (Feb 9), the Federal Court ruled that 16 provisions out of 18 challenged by a lawyer were unconstitutional.
The constitutional status quo of the two provisions not affected by the decision were giving away a child to non-Muslims or morally reprehensible Muslims (Section 13) and words capable of breaking the peace (Section 30).
Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who led a nine-member panel of judges, made the landmark ruling in an 8-1 majority judgment.
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It followed a petition by lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and her daughter Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman challenging the constitutionality and legality of 18 provisions of offences under the enactment.
In response to the ruling, the Syariah Judiciary Department said Malaysia’s Islamic laws would be strengthened.
It would also harmonise offences that exist under both Syariah and civil laws, the department said.
